Category: Tokyo

TOK. 30 days to go. Kokkyo naki Kodomotachi.

Tokyo Marathon

A few years ago, when I started getting into running, I stumbled across the World Marathon Majors. Instantly, I thought ‘How cool!’ As I am not an athlete and definitely not fast enough, the only way I can get through would be through lottery or charity.

Tokyo was the first marathon lottery I got into. However, I didn’t get to run it as I had failed one of my exams and was not in the right frame of mind to continue training for a race and also study harder to pass an exam. As that was around COVID time, there was an opportunity to defer the entry but annoyingly, I then also missed the deadline for the deferment due to the time zone difference and me just not paying attention. So rightly so, I lost My Entry completely.

There were still 2 ways for me to enter – via the lottery again or via charity. The charity entry opens earlier than the lottery. Putting all the alerts on, I emailed one of the charities in Japan for a place and was granted one. In October, I officially paid my entry fee to the Tokyo Marathon 2025.

Kokkyo naki Kodomachi (Children without Borders)

Kokkyo naki Kodomotachi (KnK, Children without Borders) is a non-governmental humanitarian association based in Tokyo. They do a lot of work providing education and psycho-social support for disadvantaged children and youth around the world including the Philippines (which is also why I chose them). In the Philippines, they work with ‘street children,’ children who live in the slums in Manila.

KnK’s complete and ongoing programs, including House for Youth and community-based programs such as the alternative learning system (non-formal education), “Street” programs, activities at the jails or detention centers for juveniles in the suburbs of Manila, and “Income Generating Activities” are all in favour of marginalized children, youth and other groups of population.

Marathon Training + Exam Revision

After the disaster that was the Portsmouth Coastal Marathon, of course I want to do better. Add to the mix that it is the winter time, I have decided to train on a treadmill to get some fitness back and run outside for my long runs. I was actually quite pleased that I could stay on the treadmill for an hour without stopping so that in itself was an accomplishment. As mentioned in my previous entry, I aim to run 100 miles a month. I clocked in at 113.7 miles (I actually was aiming for 120 but oh well).

Add into the mix, I am also revising for an exam. For Clinical Oncology training, we have to pass a series of exams – FRCR Clinical Oncology Part 1+2. Last September, I took the Part 1 exam which includes 4 modules – Physics, Cancer Biology, Pharmacology, and Medical Statistics. I passed Cancer Biology and Pharmacology, I failed Physics and Medical Statistics. So on the 12th of February, I have to retake both.

So as you can imagine, training for a marathon, revising for an exam, whilst having a full-time job, with 2 children. I myself don’t understand how I am still standing. But here we are and onwards we go.

2025 Goals Round Up.

  1. Social – Blog twice a month (check). Write a letter to a friend once a month (check).
  2. Physical – Lose 7 kg in 8 weeks (Goal 50 kg). Maintain 50 kg. (Weighed in at 55.5 kg).
  3. Running – Run 100 miles a month (113.7 miles). Tokyo Marathon (4 hours 30 min). Edinburgh Marathon (4 hours 20 mins). The Great South Run. Portsmouth Coastal Marathon (4 hours 15 mins).